It took ninety minutes of rain dancing, but Florida Atlantic with a great showing earned a win in their conference home opener against Charlotte 2-1.
In the eighth minute, Florida Atlantic’s Emmy Schleifer had a free kick opportunity from 35 yards out. The free kick was perfect for Sloane Young as she scored her second goal of the season off of her perfectly placed header over the fingertips of Charlotte keeper Emma Wakeman to give an early 1-0 lead to FAU.
The Owls had a corner kick in the 22nd minute that led to Daniella Diaz’s first goal of the season from a great corner from Emmy Schleifer.
The score held 2-0 into the half. Florida Atlantic as a team averaged one goal per game coming into this match. The Owl’s beat that average with two in the first; having scored six goals in their past 135 minutes of game time up to that point.
The second half began quietly compared to the first with the Owls having three shots within the first 11 minutes, but not successful in finding the back of the net.
The rest of the match was a parking of the bus for the Owls as the 49ers kept possession on the Owls side of the pitch.
Charlotte’s attack led to a corner which in turn was a Grace Keighley goal for the 49ers as the match became a one goal difference at 2-1 in the 80th minute. The 49ers fought for the final ten minutes including a free kick in the final 45 seconds that was stopped by FAU’s Gonzalez to seal the victory 2-1 for the Owls
Shots were even through out the night with FAU achieving five shots; all on goal, while Charlotte matched with five shots with two on goal. Lexi Gonzalez had one save and gave up the late goal while Charlotte’s Emma Wakeman had three saves and gave up two goals. The Owl’s allowed zero corners while having four of their own. Florida Atlantic’s Diaz and Schleifer, and Charlotte’s Keighley were the three goal scorers.
Preseason polls had Charlotte finishing fourth in the conference while the Owl’s were predicted to finish fifth. For an FAU team that is now on a two game win streak the momentum of beating the 49ers and gaining their first conference victory is a great morale boost for conference play time.
The Owls (2-5-2) (1-1-0) are now in the heart of the season as they welcome USF (6-1-2) (1-0-1) to Paradise. The Bulls have had a great start to the season as they already achieved five clean sheets in eight matches. The teams met twice last season with the Bulls winning in the regular season, but Florida Atlantic won 1-0 in the conference quarterfinals. The match starts at 7 P.M., Thursday, Sept. 26.